All stories by Debra Birnbaum on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Joel Edgerton on 'Train Dreams': 'I figured that if I was honest and true, the camera would find it' by Debra Birnbaum

The award-nominated actor on his collaboration with director Clint Bentley, working with his "irascible" acting hero WIlliam H. Macy, his favorite scene, and why he believes in a "happy cry."

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:00PM[SHARE]
Monday, December 15, 2025

'The Testament of Ann Lee' director Mona Fastvold: 'She was America's first feminist' by Debra Birnbaum

The filmmaker opens up about her "wild, peculiar, incredible" genre-defying musical.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:00PM[SHARE]
Friday, December 12, 2025

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande on putting the magic in 'Wicked: For Good' (exclusive video) by Debra Birnbaum

In this exclusive featurette, the stars of Wicked: For Good and director Jon M. Chu take us behind the scenes of the making of both films.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:00PM[SHARE]

'Jay Kelly' director Noah Baumbach on why it all started with the last line: 'Can I go again?' by Debra Birnbaum

Plus: George Clooney's idea for the character that made him say: 'Are you kidding me?'

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:00AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Matthew Rhys: 'The beast in me has always been in me' by Debra Birnbaum

The award-winning actor finally gets to channel his dark side in Netflix's hit limited series.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:55PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Watch Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande perform 'For Good,' 'Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again' to celebrate 'Wicked: For Good' by Debra Birnbaum

The FYC reception was hosted by Baz Luhrmann and Jon M. Chu and featured an intimate performance from the film's stars.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:30AM[SHARE]
Monday, December 1, 2025

'Hedda' costars Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss on the 'gift' of playing opposite each other by Debra Birnbaum

The stars of Nia DeCosta's film on the risks and rewards of reinventing Ibsen's classic play.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:00PM[SHARE]
Saturday, November 29, 2025

Tom Stoppard remembered: His greatest works, from 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern' to 'Shakespeare in Love' by Debra Birnbaum

The award-winning British playwright and screenwriter died Saturday at the age of 88.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, November 25, 2025

'Sentimental Value' star Renate Reinsve on that opening scene: 'I love playing panic' by Debra Birnbaum

The actress opens up about her "very rare" creative collaboration with Worst Person in the World' director Joachim Trier.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:00AM[SHARE]

Editors' Picks: Our predictions in key Oscar races by Debra Birnbaum

The Gold Derby team weighs in on the awards chances of One Battle After Another, Wicked: For Good, Hamnet, Sinners, and more.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:00AM[SHARE]
Monday, November 24, 2025

Amanda Seyfried on 'The Testament of Ann Lee': 'This movie is not for the faint of heart' by Debra Birnbaum

The actress talked about embracing the "frustrating" challenge of Mona Fastvold's Shaker film at a recent Q&A.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:00PM[SHARE]

Jessie Buckley and Chloé Zhao on the message of 'Hamnet': 'Being brave enough to love' by Debra Birnbaum

The star and director open up about the film's ending, their favorite scenes, and the "witchy" way they take care of each other.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:05PM[SHARE]

Brendan Fraser on 'Rental Family': 'I was the lucky guy who got the part' by Debra Birnbaum

The Oscar winner on why he chose Hikari's Tokyo-set feature as his follow-up to The Whale.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:00AM[SHARE]
Sunday, November 23, 2025

Jonathan Bailey on 'Wicked: For Good': Yes, Fiyero is misunderstood by Debra Birnbaum

The Wicked star on his character's fickle affections, the privilege of singing with Cynthia Erivo, and being inspired by Ray Bolger.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:00PM[SHARE]

'Hamnet' author Maggie O'Farrell: 'I didn't think we needed another film about how great Shakespeare is' by Debra Birnbaum

Why the best-selling novelist agreed to Chloé Zhao's adaptation, starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, November 21, 2025

'Wicked: For Good' instant Oscar odds: Just how 'Popular' will it be? by Debra Birnbaum

The sequel is predicted to match " if not exceed " the nomination haul of the first film.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:15PM[SHARE]

'Wicked: For Good' director Jon M. Chu: 'All people want is for them to be together' by Debra Birnbaum

Wicked's mastermind opens up about the scene that scared him " and the moment he knew he'd nailed it.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:00PM[SHARE]
Monday, November 17, 2025

'Train Dreams' team on Joel Edgerton: 'He can say everything without saying a word' by Debra Birnbaum

Director Clint Bentley, Felicity Jones, William H. Macy and more on the power of their leading man.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:47PM[SHARE]

'Cinema is not built by one person': Tom Cruise gets his Oscar at star-studded Governors Awards by Debra Birnbaum

Debbie Allen, Dolly Parton and Wynn Thomas were also honored at the annual ceremony

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, November 14, 2025

'Trying to make each other laugh was always part of it': Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer on writing 'Jay Kelly' by Debra Birnbaum

From the scene they struggled with the most to the one that proved to be the breakthrough " and their backup plan if George Clooney said no.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 13, 2025

'Chad Powers' EP on how he and Glen Powell turned the 'stupidest idea ever' into something 'actually good' by Debra Birnbaum

Showrunner Michael Waldron on adapting the Eli Manning sketch in to a hit comedy series.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:01AM[SHARE]
Monday, November 10, 2025

Inside the making of the 'darker,' 'heartbreaking' 'Wicked: For Good' by Debra Birnbaum

Director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt on Cynthia and Ariana's new songs, the secret war room, and other behind-the-scenes intel.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:00PM[SHARE]
Sunday, November 9, 2025

Ariana Grande on what scared her the most about 'Wicked: For Good' by Debra Birnbaum

The singer on what to expect from Glinda in the second 'Wicked' film.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:42PM[SHARE]

'Wicked: For Good': Cynthia Erivo calls playing Elphaba 'the ride of a lifetime' by Debra Birnbaum

Plus: what she thinks of the new song, her proudest moment, and those freckles

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:25PM[SHARE]

'Hamnet' star Paul Mescal on the 'cathartic' scene that was his 'acting Olympics' by Debra Birnbaum

The actor on the challenge of playing William Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao's feature.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:19PM[SHARE]
Friday, November 7, 2025

'You're the heart of the movie': 'One Battle After Another' casting director on Regina Hall by Debra Birnbaum

Star Regina Hall and casting director Cassandra Kulukundis on working with Paul Thomas Anderson.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:00AM[SHARE]

'Wicked: One Wonderful Night': Inside the making of the special with 'greatest singers alive' Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo by Debra Birnbaum

Executive producer Ben Winston takes Gold Derby behind the scenes, from his biggest worry to the moment that surprised him the most.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:01AM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 6, 2025

'He just cannot resist her': 'Hamnet' costume designer on the red dress that sparks a Shakespearean love story by Debra Birnbaum

Malgosia Turzanska reveals how she wove emotional reveals into all of the characters' clothes.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:00PM[SHARE]

Critics hail 'staggering' 'Train Dreams,' declare it's the best performance of Joel Edgerton's career by Debra Birnbaum

Critics also heap praise on director Clint Bentley and supporting actor William H. Macy.

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:45PM[SHARE]

'Hamnet' wins audience award at London Film Festival by Debra Birnbaum

Chloé Zhao's feature has been building awards momentum

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:15PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, November 5, 2025

'The West Wing' live debate at 20: 'The perfect episode for the perfect show at the perfect time' by Debra Birnbaum

Jimmy Smits, Lawrence O'Donnell, and Alex Graves remember the 'terror' of the presidential debate

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 07:00PM[SHARE]

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off